“The mass of human misery, and human need, and human corruption, is not confined to the poor, the simple minded, and the child.  The husband’s and the parent’s cares are not confined to their external commodities, nor the children’s to the well-being of their physical estate.  The mind that could illumine its own solitude, can cheer another’s destitution; the strength that can support itself, can stay another’s falling; the wealth may be unlocked, and supply another’s poverty.  Those who in prosperity seek amusement from superior talent, will seek it in difficulty or advice, and in adversity for support.”

Here I made up my mind to have a great deal of intellect.

“If I granted your position on the subject of utility,” said Mrs. W., “I am afraid I should prove the world very ungrateful by the remainder of my argument; which goes, you know, to prove the woman of distinguished talent less beloved than those who walk the ordinary paths of female duty.  I must take the risk, however; for, of all women in the world, your women of genius are those I love the least; and I believe, just or unjust, it is a very common feeling.  We are not disposed to love our superiors in any thing; but least of all, in intellect; one has always the feeling of playing an equal game, without being sure that no advantage will be taken of your simplicity.  A woman who has the reputation of talent, is, in this respect, the most unfortunate being on earth.  She stands in society, like a European before a horde of savages, vainly endeavoring to signify his good intentions.  If he approaches them, they run away; if he recedes, they send their arrows after him.  Every one is afraid to address her, lest they expose to her penetration their own deficiencies.  If she talks, she is supposed to display her powers; if she holds her tongue, it is attributed to contempt for the company.  I know that talent is often combined with every amiable quality, and renders the character really the more lovely; but not therefore the more beloved.  It would, if known; but it seldom is known, because seldom approached near enough to be examined.

“The simple-minded fear what they do not understand; the double-minded envy what they cannot reach.  For my good, simple housewife, every body loves her who knows her; and nobody, who does not know her, troubles themselves about her.  But place a woman on an eminence, and every body thinks they are obliged to like or dislike her; and, being too tenacious to do the one without good reason, they do the other without any reason at all.  Before we can love each other, there must be sympathy, assimilation, and, if not equality, at least such an approach to it as may enable us to understand each other.  When any one is much superior to us, our humility shrinks from the proffers of her love, and our pride revolts from offering her our own.  Real talent is always modest, and fears often to make advances towards affection, lest it should seem, in doing so, to presume upon itself; but, having rarely the credit of timidity, this caution is attributable to pride.  Your superior woman, therefore, will not be generally known or beloved by her own sex, among whom she may have many admirers, but few equals.